IR-01-23-18712
3 August 2023
Leonardo
[FYI request #23147 email]
Dear Leonardo
Request for information
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) request of 15 June 2023 in which
you asked for information relating to the Eagle Helicopter.
My response to each of your questions are below.
Please provide the number of arrests facilitated or assisted by the Police Eagle
helicopter from the commencement of its operational activities in Hawke's Bay until
its departure to return to Auckland during the period of Cyclone Gabriel e.
Police is withholding all specific operational information about the Eagle Helicopter.
Therefore, this part of your request is refused under section 6(c) of the OIA, as the
making available of the information is likely to prejudice the maintenance of the law
including the prevention, investigation and detection of offences and the right to a fair
trial.
I would appreciate receiving details regarding the substantial impact achieved
through the deployment of the Police Eagle helicopter from the time it commenced
operating in Hawke's Bay until it concluded its operations and returned to
Auckland.
Eagle provided valuable assistance in the immediate period following Cyclone Gabrielle.
Taskings included locating vehicles and individuals for ground staff, assisting with
movement of staff and equipment between Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti, and supply drops
into remote areas isolated by the storm. It also provided valuable real-time information
and updates on road conditions and their accessibility.
While in Eastern District it also assisted with routine policing work, including tracking and
locating offenders.
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review my decision if you are not satisfied
with Police's response to your request. You can find more informati
on here.
Yours sincerely
Richard Chambers
Assistant Commissioner – Districts
Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Eastern, Central
New Zealand Police www.police.govt.nz
Telephone: 105
Document Outline
- EXEC REVIEW TEMPLATE JULY 2023.pdf
- FW_ OIA Response for Leonardo IR-01-23-18712.pdf
- [EXTERNAL] Official Information request - Police Eagle Helicopter Assistance during Cyclone Gabrielle.pdf
- Draft response to Leonardo PD.pdf